Culture Desk
Alliance Francaise de Dhaka (AFD) and Moonsez Art Academy have jointly organised the inaugural ceremony of the group painting exhibition, featuring the artworks by budding painters of Moonsez Art Academy titled “Daak-ticketey Dekhi Amar Desh”. Under the supervision of artist Shadia Sharmin of Moonsez Art Academy, a total of 28 children participated at the workshop of 21 days. A total of 44 artworks consisting of original stamps and self-made art was showcased at the exhibition. This is the first stamp exhibition in Bangladesh. The inaugural ceremony of the exhibition was held on October 9 on the World Stamp Day 2018.
Sushanto Kumar Mondal, director general, Bangladesh Post Office graced the occasion as the chief guest. He launched a special envelope and seal printed from the postal department of Bangladesh on the opening day and he announced an open invitation to visit GPO (Govt. Post Office) museum on October 16 for the 28 students. Visual artist Dr S. M. Saiful Islam was also present the opening ceremony as the special guest. This exhibition is in sponsorship with ACRON and supported by philatelist’s Association of Bangladesh. This new conceptual exhibition has received warm wishes and appreciation from first stamp designer Biman Mallik of Bangladesh and artist Mustafa Monwar.
Starting from the nineteenth century to present, the history of postage stamps is a rich and long one for any person to enjoy. Bangladesh saw her first set of stamps in the midst of the Liberation War on July 29 in 1971 that exhibited the international support for Bangladesh. The stamps of Bangladesh since then have seen glorious days, from masterfully-drawn commemorative stamps to beautiful and historical first day covers. As of 2017, Bangladesh Post Office has issued 732 postage stamps and 28 souvenir sheets. All these have been a great incentive for the children of Moonsez Art Academy to create artworks inspired from the stamps of Bangladesh. By looking at the stamps and taking inspiration from them to construct their own versions of the stamps, the children were able to experience Bangladesh in a very different, yet familiar way. Moreover, philately became a bit relevant for them in this electronic age. The exhibition will be continued till October 18.
